2 Marines identified in deadly California helicopter crash

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (AP) — Two Marine Corps officers killed when their helicopter crashed during a training exercise in the Southern California desert were remembered Sunday as talented pilots.

Capt. Elizabeth Kealey and 1st Lt. Adam Satterfield died from injuries in the crash Friday at the Twentynine Palms Marine base. They were the only two Marines aboard theUH-1Y Huey helicopter.

"Capt. Kealey and 1st Lt. Satterfield were both outstanding Marine Corps officers and talented helicopter pilots," said Lt. Col. James M. Isaacs, their commanding officer. "Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of our fallen Vipers, and we stand poised to support them in this tragedy."

This undated photo provided by the U.S. Marine Corps shows 1st Lt. Adam Satterfield of Oldham, Ky. Satterfield, 25, was one of two pilots killed when their helicopter crashed during a training exercise at the Twentynine Palms Marine base in the Southern California desert Friday, Jan. 23, 2015. Satterfield and Capt. Elizabeth Kealey died from their injuries in the crash. The pilots were the only two people onboard the UH-1Y Huey helicopter, based at Camp Pendleton, Calif. (AP Photo/U.S. Marine Corps)

Kealey, 32, of Indiana, Pennsylvania, was commissioned in 2005 and had earned several awards and medals. She deployed twice with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and once in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Satterfield, 25, of Oldham, Kentucky, was commissioned in 2011 and supported training operations in Southern California.